Pramesh S Jain
The Avalahalli Police have registered a case against five persons for allegedly storing and using explosive materials without valid permission at a granite quarry in Yerapanahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
According to the complaint filed by Head Constable Shivu M.(HC-11881),who was on a special night patrol duty along with police personnel on June 4,2026,the police received credible information from local residents that explosives were being illegally stored and used for blasting operations at a granite quarry owned by Venkateshwara Granite Crusher.
Acting on the tip-off, the police conducted a raid at around 4 am,and found that blasting operations were being carried out using detonators and other explosive substances.
During questioning,workers identified as Vikas,Thouhid and Sandeep allegedly revealed that quarry owner Venkataramana Reddy and crusher manager Lokesh Reddy had arranged the explosives for rock blasting activities.
Police said the accused failed to produce any licence or authorisation from the competent authority for possessing,storing or using the explosives.
The explosives were allegedly stored without adhering to mandatory safety norms,posing a threat to public life and property.
The police seized detonators and other explosive materials from the quarry and registered a case against Venkataramana Reddy,Lokesh Reddy,Vikas,Tulasidhar and Sandeep.
A case has been booked under Section 9B(1)(b) of the Explosives Act, Section 5 of the Explosive Substances Act and Rule 7 of the Explosives Rules. Further investigation is underway.
The police launched a crackdown on illegal explosives after they recovered abandoned box containing explosives material on the route of PM convey.
Earlier on June 3,the Anekal police had registered a case against nine persons for allegedly carrying out blasts at a quarry without proper permissions and safety measures at a stone quarry in Thammanayakanahalli village of Anekal taluk.
According to the complaint filed by PSI Munirathna M., police personnel received credible information that blasting activities were being conducted at SLV Crusher in Survey No. 177 of Thammanayakanahalli without obtaining the required licences and without following mandatory safety protocols.
Acting on the tip-off,a police team visited the site at around 2.30 p.m. on June 3 and conducted an inspection.
During the inspection,officers allegedly found workers preparing for blasting operations using drilling equipment and explosive materials.
The police noted that no authorised blasting supervisor was present at the site and that explosive substances were allegedly stored in an unsafe manner.
Quarry stones extracted through blasting were reportedly being loaded onto lorries for transportation.
The police questioned workers and supervisors present at the quarry and identified the persons involved in the operations.
Investigators were informed that the explosives were allegedly procured from a supplier in Tamil Nadu.The complaint further states that quarry operations were being carried out without the presence of the licensed blasting in-charge and without adhering to statutory safety requirements, thereby endangering the lives of workers and the public.
Based on the complaint,Anekal Police have booked nine persons under The Explosive Substances Act, 1908,The Explosives Act,1884, apart from other laws.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain the legality of the quarry operations and the source of the explosive materials used at the site.
